Sources: Bears' Clausen wins backup QB job

Summary of 8 articles · Updated Aug 25, 2014

For now, Clausen has won the Bears' backup job, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Palmer was released by Chicago on Sunday after losing the Bears' backup job to Jimmy Clausen, sources told Schefter. But Clausen has started in 10 of the 13 regul… (more)ar season games he's played in the NFL, while Palmer has thrown just 15 passes in the four games he's played. Clausen is 26. Palmer is 30. If anything happens to Cutler, the Bears will have to hope Clausen can be a lot better than he was during his rookie season, when he had a 52.5 percent completion rate, three touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Clausen hit on 64.9 percent of his throws for 280 yards, two touchdowns, an INT and a passer rating of 94.4. “His ability to handle the adversity that he had in his first year,” Trestman said. “His leadership qualities he stood up tall through a lot of tough times in Carolina and gained the respect of his teammates and the team there with the way he handled himself in a very, very difficult year.” Despite Clausen’s pedigree he was the nation’s top prep ­recruit, the face of Notre Dame and a rookie NFL starter the quarterback pointed to his struggles the last three years as a reason for his growth. The Bears are also expected to keep sixth-round rookie David Fales as their third quarterback.

Chicago Bears' projected roster

Examining the Chicago Bears' roster: QUARTERBACKS (3) Jay Cutler Jimmy Clausen David Fales If there's a change here, it would only involve the release of Fales because Clausen has earned the No. 2 spot over Jordan Palmer, who was released on Sunday. The…